Fudo Ryu

Fudo Ryu, also known as Shinden Fudo Ryu, literally translates as “Tradition of the Immovable God.” It is one of the classical Japanese Jujutsu schools (Koryu) incorporated into the curricula of the Bujinkan, Genbukan, Jinenkan, and AKBAN. Shinden Fudo Ryu is divided primarily into dakentaijutsu (striking methods) and jutaijutsu (grappling methods), each with its own characteristic kata, strikes, locks, throws, and weapon segments. Historically, it was the first art that Takamatsu Toshitsugu—who later collected and transmitted many of the Takamatsu-den Koryu—studied under Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu.

Fudo Ryu Techniques

The teachings of Fudo Ryu are traditionally grouped into two main categories:

• Jutaijutsu – the older name for jujutsu, focusing on grappling, throws, locks, and controls.
• Dakentaijutsu – striking methods that often appear direct and strong, using the body as a weapon.

Dakentaijutsu training is further subdivided into Ten no Kata, Chi no Kata, and Shizen Shigoku no Kata (sometimes called Shizen Chigoku no Kata). Each of these levels has distinct forms (kata) that emphasize strikes, throws, and locks, often starting from natural postures (shizen or fudoza) with minimal formal stances.

Dakentaijutsu (Striking Methods)

Below are integrated video lists for the major levels of Fudo Ryu Dakentaijutsu. Originally, these were part of a separate category page. They are now consolidated here for easier reference.

Ten no Kata

Chi no Kata

Shizen Shigoku no Kata

This level is sometimes referred to as “Shizen Chigoku no Kata.” It focuses on advanced forms that use natural posture and fluid, seemingly casual movements to generate striking, throwing, and locking opportunities.

Jutaijutsu (Grappling Methods)

Jutaijutsu in Fudo Ryu is characterized by controlling locks, throws, and subtle manipulations of posture. Historically called “Jujutsu,” it trains the practitioner to maintain a natural stance, adapt quickly, and apply powerful leverage-based techniques without formal stances. Jutaijutsu segments can include rope-tying (hojojutsu) and specialized weapon defenses.

Characteristics

Fudo Ryu features the use of nature as an ally in both conditioning and application. Practitioners often strike with the entire body, moving fluidly from locks to throws to kicks and back again. While it may appear “hard” due to directness of strikes, the system also emphasizes relaxed power, minimal telegraphing, and stable posture (shizen or fudoza). Larger weapons such as the ono (axe), o-tsuchi (war hammer), and naginata are also part of its curriculum.

History

Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru is credited as the founder (and first soke) of Shinden Fudo Ryu, tracing back to the 12th century. Early influences included elements of Chinese Kempo, which are still partly visible in certain striking forms. Over time, many recognized names became soke of the school, contributing additional weapon methods (like yari and ono) and hojojutsu.

The 24th soke, Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu, was famously a sword instructor to the Tokugawa Shogunate and grandfather to Takamatsu Toshitsugu. Takamatsu Sensei inherited and refined Fudo Ryu as part of his broader Takamatsu-den teachings. The present-day lineage is continued by Hatsumi Masaaki.

Headmasters of Shinden Fudo Ryu

• Ikai
• Hogenbo, Tesshin
• Sakabe, Tendo

1. Izumo, Kanja Yoshiteru (Kumano) – Yeikyu era (1113)
2. Minamoto, Hachiman Tamenari – Genyei era (1118)
3. Minamoto, Hachiro Tameyoshi – Hogen era (1156)
4. Mizuhara, Kuro Yoshinari – Genkyu era (1204)
5. Mugaibo, Shinnen – Tempuku era (1233)
6. Ohkuni, Zenhachiro Yoshinobu – Bunyie era (1264)
7. Hata, Saburo Sasukeyasu
8. Kotani, Yuhachiro Nobuchika – Geboko era (1321 or 1331)
9. Kaneko, Jinsuke Yoshikiyo – Shohei era (1346)
10. Tajima, Genkoro Nariyoshi – Genchu era (1384)
11. Kammon, Kokanja Yoshikane – Shocho era (1428)
12. Kimura, Hozen – Kwancho era (1460)
13. Ibuki, Yoshihaha – Bummei era (1469)
14. Otsuka, Hakushi Nyudo Tadamori – Yeisho era (1504)
15. Otsuka, Daikuro Tadahide – Taiyei era (1522)
16. Abe, Muga – Tensho era (1573)
17. Koga, Taro Kyokokaku – Tensho era (1573)
18. Katayama, Hokinokami Mori Hisayasu – Bunroku era (1592)
19. Shindo, Unsai – Kwanyei era (1624-1644)
20. Odagiri, Tohyoe Yoshihiso – Kwanyei era (1624-1644)
21. Iida, Jubee Tameyoshi – Meiwa era (1764)
22. Mori, Genroku Masahide – Bunkwa era (1804)
23. Toyota, Jubei Mitsuyoshi – Keiyo era (1865)
24. Toda, Shinryuken Masamitsu (Kobe) – Meiji era (1824 - 1909)
25. Takamatsu, Toshitsugu (Nara) – Taisho era (1909) (1888 - 1972)
26. Hatsumi, Masaaki (Noda) – Showa era (1968 - ) (b.1931 - )

Rules from the Densho

1. Know that endurance is simply a puff of smoke.
2. Know that the way of men is justice.
3. Forsake greed and comfort; be content with self-sufficiency.
4. Regard sadness and malice as natural laws. Seek the enlightenment of the immovable heart.
5. Never stray from loyalty, respect for parents, and mastery of both pen and sword.

These precepts are the Fudo Ryu Dojo Kun, recorded in Meiji 23 (1891) by Toda Shinryuken Masamitsu.

Additional Techniques

Many other Fudo Ryu techniques exist outside the main kata sets, including methods such as Gokuraku otoshi, Jinchu nage, Koromo gaeshi, and various armlock and wristlock transitions (e.g., Hon gyaku jime, Ude ori, Kimon dori, Take ori). These are sometimes grouped under Jutaijutsu or Dakentaijutsu, depending on their emphasis.